CO2 before cycling?

[leg89]

hi everyone! im actually starting my whole setup over again. first timer into live plants and i've just filled my 77g n put the plants in it. i would like to give them a big boost and since there arent any fish yet in it, i was wondering if i could let the lights on longer than 10 hours a day and do the CO2 homemade trick with the 2 litres of soda filled with i dont remember what.

my tank is not cycled yet n i red that too much CO2 can change ur hardness or sometin like that.

overall, i just filled it n put the plants in, n i want to best boost for the plants.
what is the best i can do?

any suggestions explaining why n how would be very appreciated.

thanks all

 

[Merbeast]

you need good light (good as in quality and lumens) for 10-12 hours per day, CO2 (yeast and sugar in the 2-liter bottles), and fertilizer. Pond tabs pushed under the roots work well, and release fewer nutrients into the water column for the algae to bloom on.

 

[ercnan]

Research planted tanks, DIY CO2 (which will lower PH), and lighting for planteds, and get a wealth of info. too much to list.

 

[WyldFya]

Read the stickies. The planted tanks for beginners sticky took a long time to write up, and has quite a bit of information that you should know. There is a good one on lighting for you too.